Tuesday, November 29, 2011

May I? I mayLadies! Gentlemen!Excuse me if I alone introduce myselfI am the Prologue:Since yet in the sceneThe author uses ancient masks;In part he wants to bring back the old customs,And send me back to you.But not to tell you as before:“The tears we cry are false!Of spasms and our martyrsDo not be alarmed!”No! No. The author has sought insteadTo depict a glimpse of life.He believes utmost that the artist is a manAnd that he must write for men,And be inspired by the truth.A nest of memoriesWas singing at the bottom of his soul one day,And he wrote with genuine tears,And his sobs beat the tempo!And so, you will see loveAs human beings love each other;You will see the sad fruits of hate.The spasms of pain,Shouts of rage, you will hear,And also laughter!And you, rather thanOur poor actors’ changes,Consider our soul,Since we are men of flesh and bone,And from this orphan worldWe breathe the same air as you!I’ve told you the concept...Now listen as it is carried out.Let’s go. Begin!

Tito Gobbi as Tonio in a 1946 film version of Leoncavallo's Pagliacci.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

O sons, o my children!
That tyrant has killed you all,
And together with you,
Your unfortunate mother!
Ah, in the claws of that tiger
Did I leave mother and sons?

Ah, the paternal hand didn’t shield you,
O my dears,
Treacherous killers have mortally
wounded you!
And as for me, I escaped, while I hid
You were calling in vain
With your last gasps, with your last breaths.
Ah! lead me to the tyrant,
Lord, if he should escape from me
May he, in Your open arms,
Find forgiveness.

Placido Domingo in great
voice singing the tenor aria from Verdi's Macbeth.